Learning electronics in theory by
studying books is the conventional
way, this method may help in History
and Maths. Maths needs a paper and
pencil for practicals and history
needs a well equipped Library. In
these modern times, the web has made
access to wide range of learning
information easy, which is true
Knowledge Empowerment. The greatest
gift a Child can get from the Parents
or School, is Knowledge.

As an Electronics Engineer i had
always needed data sheets and
application notes. The web makes these
documents not only accessible to all,
but searchable too.

Now coming back to Maths and History;
a computer, some programs and the
Internet can create a "Practicals" for
these Subjects. In case of Mechanical,
Electrical and Electronics it is not
so simple. You need to have many
components and some test instruments
and most important; a Soldering Iron
to build-n-learn practically.

Process Control Instruments

These are some instruments i
manufactured when i used to run my own
industrial automation business.

Some youngsters learn by breaking and
fixing, toys and gadgets. Many learn
by Making Home Garden Projects from
Kits after reading Hobby DIY
Magazines, this is a better way of
learning. I started with DIY Science,
including Magnetism and Electricity,
rather than Electronics. I could work
with an Iron only in High School.

Now many
Virtual Electronics Workbench Software
and Interactive Tutors are available,
these aid learning. We have to design,
build and apply some electronic ideas
in 3D Hardware, for complimenting the
Book, Academic or Web learning.
Practical and Theoretical study in
electronics has to be in Tandem, this
is possible only when Industry works
with Universities to create real
talent and skills in students. The
applied technology is evolving, hence
the academic education must be
relevant when the student gets into
his first job.

Zeners, Diodes, NPN-PNP
Transistors, FET, MOSFET, SCR,
Triacs are all discrete active
devices. ICs and Hybrid Modules are
made of many discrete and passive
components. In the Integrated
Circuits or ASICs, all parts even
passives are derived on the Silicon
Wafer. In Hybrid Modules the
construction uses SMD or Tiny Chip
components interconnected in a small
ceramic PCB and Hermetically Sealed
if needed.

For a Systems Integrator or Control
Panel Designer, the Timers,
Controllers, PLC which are
Electronic Products become
Components or Modules along with
Contacters, Current Transformers,
AC-DC Drives etc.

Design
Notes - Components Selection(These are notes jotted down in the
90s, it may have spelling and other
errors)

Selecting the parts for your
product design, choosing the
components intelligently is a part
of Product Design Engineering.

Budget, Availability, Size,
Alternate Vendors, Product Life and
Quantity to be manufactured are some
factors that determine the selection
of a prudent and experienced design
professional.

To choose the right type of part,
an exhaustive knowledge of the
behavior of passives and discretes
is essential. Some points i remember
among the things that i learnt the
hard way are listed below.

Over rate components at least
double, if you need a
1A-100V-100uS diode, use a
2A-200V-50uS diode.

Electrolytic capacitors have a
shelf life, if you need to store
them you have to charge them every
month.

Gold plating is used in
connectors because it has low
contact resistance and does not
corrode or react

Use a 100uF and 0.1uF CD in
parallel to filter because the
inductance of 100uF is a lot (the
electrodes are wound as in a coil)
and high frequency passes over and
is filtered by the 0.1uF which has
negligible inductance.

Ceramic capacitors leak a bit,
electrolytics leak a lot but
plastic or mica capacitors do not
leak at all, near perfect. An
oscillator with a RC time setting
needs a plastic cap for stability.

In industrial electronics
equipment, connectors are a source
of many problems, hence avoid
connectors. vibrations, corrosion
and frequent usage will result in
strange problems.

Small signal diode 1N4148
switches at 4nS, current of 70mA
and 70V withstand capacity.

2N2222 and 2N2907 form a fast
switching NPN-PNP pair and have
been around for decades.

LED displays are best indoors
and are not so good for sunlit
outdoors, LCD is good for that.

All electromechanical parts like
switches, relays, connectors and
pots have limited number of
operations.

Most pots have a dielectric
insulation between metal pot shaft
and terminals of 1KV or more. Some
commercial pots may have lesser
breakdown voltage and that will be
a product safety issue. So either
way use Plastic Knobs or pots with
plastic shafts.

"when you solder the windows should
be opened, cross ventilation must be
good, because the fumes are not very
good for health. After you finish
wash your hands with soap, as lead
is poisonous or toxic"

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and documents of delabs can be used for Product Design and
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